Method of and means for balancing extractor tubs



May 31, 1966 1 o. ENGEL 3,253,710

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR BALANCING EXTRACTOR TUBS Original Filed March 29, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

LEWIS 0. ENGEL L. O. ENGEL.

May 31, 1966 METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR BALANCING EXTRACTOR TUBS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 29. 1961 A IIIIIIIVIIIII .-----ww----wn IN1/Ewan Ew/s 0. ENGEL ATTORNEY .......nfll/ May 31, 1966 L. o. ENGEL 3,253,710

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR BALANCING EXTRACTOR TUBS Original Filed March 29. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV EN TOR.

Ew/s 0. ENGEL Rh?. 6 Y j) y) ATTORN United States Patent O 3,253,710 METHOD F AND MEANS FOR BALANCING EXTRACTOR TUBS Lewis 0. Engel, Richmond, Mich., assigner to Scie'nta Products, Inc., Cincinnati, Chio, a corporation of Ohio Continuation of application Ser. No. 99,093, Mar. 29, 1961. This application Apr. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 449,338 12 Claims. (Cl. 21d-7S) This is a continuation of my patent application Ser. No. 99,093, led March 29, 1961, and now abandoned. This invention relates to a method of and means for automatically and continuously etecting dynamic balance of a rotatable tub, and in particular the extractor tub of a drier, combination washer and drier yor lthe like.

An object of the invention is to teach a simple yet highly eliective method of automatically and continuously compensating for any condition of dynamic unbalance which may be imparted to an extractor tub during rotation at extracting speed by reason of an uneven distribution of the load-contents of the tub.

Another object of the invention is to provide means in association with an extractor tub for effectively utilizing the cause of unbalance at extraction speeds for automatically and continuously applying a counter-force equal in dynamic magnitude and diametrically opposed to the source of unbalance.

A further object of the invention is to provide the loadsupporting surface of an extractor tub with pairs of diametrically opposed self-contained fluid receptacles Which are interconnected for permitting the free and unrestricted transfer of liuid from one to the other of said interconnected receptacles.

Still another object of the invention is to provide portions of the load-supporting face of an extractor tub with pairs of diametrically disposed, self-contained uid receptacles which are interconnected whereby to permit the free, unrestricted passage of iiuid between said receptacles when the tub is rotated at tumbling speeds, for imparting a pulsating, radial movement to said receptacles for dislodging the contents of the tub from the side walls thereof incident to reduction in speed of rotation of the tub from extraction to tumbling speeds. Clothing housed within an extractor tub will frequently remain aliixed to the side walls of the tub after the high speed extraction cycle has been terminated. Unless the clothing is dislodged from adherence to the tub wall during the slow speed tumbling cycle, the efficiency and operating characteristics of the device are adversely alected.

The subject invention provides alternate portions of the load-supporting surface of an extractor tub with a plurality of independently radially movable surfaces, which will effectively and automatically dislodge the contents of the tub from adherence to the side walls during the tumbling cycle, or slow speed rotation thereof.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and as disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of a typical commerciallyavailable combination washer-and-drier embodying the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a self-contained liuid receptacle which comprises a detail of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of FIG 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the manner-in which diametrically opposed individual receptacles are operatively interconnected in pairs.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of an extractor tub illustrating the manner in which the subject invention automatically compensates for and effectively counteracts conditionsrof dynamic unbalance induced during extraction 3,253,710 Patented May 31, 1966 speeds by the uneven load distribution of the contents of the tub.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a unitary blanket-like member containing two rows of self-contained, bag-like fluidcontaining receptacles which are interconnected in pairs in such a manner as to establish interconnection between diametrically opposed elements when the blanket-like member is disposed within an extractor tub or the like.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7 7 of FIG. l.

With reference now to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 denotes generally the outer housing of a combination washer-anddrier, which includes 'a stationary tub 12 having front, rear and outer walls 14, 16 and 18, respectively, and an inner, rotatable tub 20 defined by a cylindrical outer wall 22 having numerous perforations 24 disposed therethrough. Perforated cylindrical member 22 is secured to and carried by a plurality of rotatable arms 30 which are suitably secured as at 32 to shaft 34, which is journaled in bearing 36 carried by outer stationary cone brackets 38. Rotary motion may be imparted to shaft 34 and inner tub 2d by means of drive element 42 in driven relationship with and between pulleys 46 secured to and carried by shaft 34 and pulley 44 secured to and carried by shaft 46 of a suitable electric drive motor 48.

The letters J indicate baffle elements which are carried by and project radially inwardly from cylindrical Wall 22 of the rotatable tub.

It should be understood that the present invention is neither concerned with nor directed to the specilic structural details of the apparatus thus far described.

The present invention is` directed to a method of and means for automatically and continuously providing a condition of dynamic balance to an extractor tub 20 during extraction speeds even though the load distribution of the contents thereof is shifted or disposed in such a manner as to, but for my balancing means, result in a condition of dynamic unbalance.

In one form of the invention, wall 22 of the -rotatable tub may be provided with two rows of pairs of diametrically opposed openings 50, wherein the peripheral edge of each opening is turned inwardly as at 52, note FIG. 3. The numeral 6() denotes generally a self-contained iiuid receptacle defined by an upper or inner wall 62, a lower or outer wall 64, and peripheral edges 66 which include a continuous lower bead 67 and a complementary continuous upper bead portion 68 between which the inturncd portions S2 of the peripheral edge of openings 50 are adapted to be securely received.

A central opening 70 is provided in walls 62 and 64, said opening being delined by a bellows-like element 72 formed integral with the aforesaid walls, whereby to provide a self-contained receptacle having a continuous fluid chamber 74 therein, access to which chamber is afforded through port 76 disposed at one end of the receptacle.

The fluid receptacles may be further secured in place by means of a retaining member, such as, by way of exv ample, a length of open-mesh-like material 80 wrapped around the outer peripheryol:` ythe extractor tub 22 whereby to spanningly engage the lower or outer faces of the fluid receptacles and the conduits interconnecting the various pairs of liuid receptacles. The -retainer member may be secured in place by interconnecting the outturned ends 78 thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 7, such as by welding, or the like.

With particular reference now to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the individual tiuid receptacles 63 are interconnected in pairs wherein the receptacles which collectively comprise each pair are disposed in diametric relationship with .reference to the center of rotation Q of the tub. The receptacles of each pair have been indicated by the letters A, A; B, B'; C, C; and D, D. The direction of rotation of tub 20 is in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the :headed arrow 13, in which event the forward or leading edge of each of the fluid receptacles which collectively comprise a pair, is disposed in open, fluid-conducting relationship by means lof conduits denoted generally by the letters A, B, C, and D, respectively.

With further reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the

numeral 90 denotes a load-supporting surface in the form of a rigid or substantially stiff bearing plate having an inner face 92 which is preferably formed with a -dishedlike surface which tapers slightly to a central opening 94 which is disposed in substantial axial alignment with bellows aperture 70.

The lself-contained fluid receptacle of FIG. 3 is shown in its normal condition, that is, about intermediate of its fully extended position. When in the so-called normal condition, each of the two receptacles which collectively comprise a pair are completely filled with a fluid, such as water, as is the conduit by which the interiors 74 of the receptacles are interconnected in open communication with one another. i

It should be here noted that the flow or movement of fluid from a receptacle will result in outward radial movement of inner wall 62 and the load-supporting surface 96, whereas the addition of fluid to a receptacle will produce an inward radial movement of wall 62 and surface 90.

As disclosed in FIG. l, the load-supporting surface of the extractor tub 20 consists of alternate fixed panel forming apertured areas as defined by cylindrical wall 22, and radially movable panels, as defined by plates 99.

During those periods of time when the extractor tub 20 is being rotated at tumbling speed, viz., at speeds which permit the clothes contents `of the tub to freely tumble as the tub is rotated, the iluid within each closed circuit will continuously flow from the higher to the lower of the receptacles of a pair, and such movement of fluid will impart radial movement or pulsations to panels 90.

When the tub is rotated at extracting speeds, centrifugal force will cause the clothes to exert a radial, centrifugally induced load on the inner or load-supporting surface of the tub. The greater the rotational speed, the greater is the radial, centrifugally induced load, which `results in faster and more efcient extraction of water from the clothes.

If, however, the tub becomes dynamically unbalanced when or while rotating at extraction speeds because of an unbalanced load, vibrations will be induced which not only create undesirable stresses in the equipment, but also cause the machine to walk, be noisy and even dangerous.

With reference now to FIG. 5, I have illustrated the manner in which the existence of an unbalanced load denoted by t'he letter L creates a radial, centrifugally induced load on radially movable panels of fluid receptacles A and B which results in the transfer of fluid from these receptacles to their corresponding, diametrically opposed receptacles A and B, respectively. The weight of the fluid thus automatically transferred is equal in dynamic magnitude and diametrically 'opposed to the source of unbalance, L, with the result that the tub will be maintained in a condition of dynamic balance during the entire extraction cycle.

As the rate of rotation `is decreased from extraction speed, the centrifugally induced load, L, will diminish, and as said load decreases, the panels of receptacles A' and B' will shift radially inwardly while the panels of receptacles A and B will shift radially outwardly by an equal amount, and such radial movement of the panels will impart a like radial movement to the clothes whereby to dislodge and pull them away from adherence vwith the tub wall. As the rotational speed of the tub is finally reduced to tumbling speed, the clothes will be free to tumble at random within the tub without adherence to the tub walls.

In passing, it will be noted that movement of one panel of a pair in one radial direction will result in movement of the other panel of the pair in the same direction and by the same amount as the first panel.

It should be understood that the subject invention is not limited to the structural details disclosed in the drawings, since any suitable means may be utilized for providingthe load-supporting surface of an extractor tub, or the like, with a plurality of pairs of diametrically spa-ced, radially movablev panels each in association with one or more self-contained fluid receptacles.

In FIG. 6 I have illustrated a unitary blanket-like sheet or member 100 having a plurality of pairs of interconnected, fluid-containing receptacles A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, which are interconnected to receptacles A', B', C', D', E', F', G and H', respectively, by fluid conduits A, B", C, D", E, F", G, and H", The receptacles of each pair and their respective conduits are illustrated in normal position and are filled with fluid, as set forth hereinabove with reference to FIG. 4.

The relationship of the receptacles A-D and E-H of FIG. 6 is such that when sheet 100 is placed within the periphery of an extractor tub the receptacles which collectively comprise a pair will be diametrically opposed.

The conduits which interconnect the fluid receptacles in pairs are in open communication with the forward or leading end of ea-ch of said receptacles as determined by the direction of tub rotation. With this arrangement the centrifugal forces induced on the fluid within the receptacles during rotation of the tub will move the fluid to the rear or trailing end of the receptacles rather than into lthe conduits as would be the case if the trailing, or intermediate portions of the fluid receptacles were interconnected. l

It should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An extractor tub, means for supporting and rotating the same, the tub having a load supporting substantially cylindrical surface including therearound a plurality of diametrically aligned inwardly facing pairs of separate panels and drainage areas in said surface between adjacent panels, expansible supporting means for each of said panels and movable radially with respect to the tub, a connecting means between said supporting means for each pair of said diametrically aligned panels, said supporting means for each panel of each pair being a hollow sealed fluid filled unit, said supporting means for each pair of panels and said connecting means therebetween together forming one of a number of duplicate closed fluid filled systems, each system being independent of the others, each said system functioning under pressure imposed radially outwardly against one of the pair of panels by a material load in and rotating with the tub to move the supporting means thereof and effect movement of fluid from such supporting means through the connecting means connected therewith toward and into the opposite panel supporting means and move the panel supported by the latter means radially inwardly, and means to maintain the tu'b in concentric relationship with its axis of rotation during movement of fluid from one receptacle to the other.

2. An extractor tub, means for supporting and rotating the same, said tub having a load supporting surface, said surface including .a plurality `of diametrically aligned pairs of individually movable panels and drainage areas between the panels, actuating means for imparting movement to each of said panels radially with respect to the tub, said actuating means comprising fluid filled receptacles carried by said supporting surface and each receptacle having an inner elastic side with respect to the center of the tu=b upon which one of said panels is carried, and fluid conducting means connecting the reoeptacles of said diametrically aligned panels which together form a pair whereby the application to one of the two panels of a diametrically aligned pair of centrifugal force by a load of material in and rotating with the tub will compress the receptacle carrying the last said one panel and force movement of fluid from such receptacle through said connecting means into the receptacle of th opposite panel of the diametrically aligned pair for balancing said drum when it is rotated'at extraction speed.

3. In a rotatable extractor tub, means for supporting and rotating the same, a plurality of self-contained pairs of fluid receptacles, the receptacles of each pair being carried by said tub on opposite diametrically opposed sides of the tub and being exposed to contact by movable material placed in the tub for extraction, uid conducting means individual -to each pair of receptacles and interconnecting the interiors of each such pair of receptacles, said receptacles being compressible, means operatively connected with each receptacle whereby the application on one of the receptacles of a pair of thrust created by centrifugal pressure of a load of material in and rotating with the tub will elect transfer of fluid from said one receptacle to the other diametrically opposite receptacle of the pair, and means to maintain the tub in concent-ric relationship with its axis of rotation during movement of uid from one receptacle to the other.

4. In a washer extractor, the combination comprising a rotary drum mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, means to rotate the drum, a plurality of pairs of panels movable radially with respect to the drum and aligned -diametrically thereof, resilient means supporting and securing said panels to said drum whereby a load-supporting surface thereof is detined lby portions of the drum and said movable panels in alternately arranged positions relative to one another, means inclu-ding a closed fluid circuit Afor each pair of diametrically aligned panels, each said huid circuit interconnecting only those panels which comprise a diametrically opposed pair, whereby the application of .a radial, centrifugally induced pressure applied on one of the two movable panels of a pair by a material loa-d in and rotating with the drum will force transfer of uid to only the other panel of that pair for applying a counter-force to said last mentioned panel equal in dynamic magnitude and diametrically opposed to the source of unbalance on said iirst mentioned panel, and means to maintain the drum in concentric relationship with its axis of lrotation during transfer of uid from one of the two movable panels of a pair to the other panel of that pair.

5. A rotary extractor comprising a single load receiving tub having a cylindrical load carrying wall formed for, passage to the exterior thereof of huid extracted from a load therein, means supporting the tub for rotation on its axial center in a lixed plane, means to rotate said tub, a plurality of substantially flat individual fluid receptacles carried by said wall in circumferentially spaced relation one with the other, the receptacles being segregated in pairs and each pair having inner side walls in opposed relation within and diametrically of the tub, a separate conduit connecting the receptacles of each pair, said receptacles of each pair and the connecting conduit forming a closed uid filled system, and said inner side walls of said receptacles being adapted to move radially of the tub and forming a part of said load carrying wall, said pairs of receptacles land the conduits connecting the same being carried entirely by and rotating with said tub whereby a centrifugally thrown load mass in and carried by the tub will impose radial outward pressure on the inner side wall of at least one uid lilled receptacle and effect movement of tluid therefrom to the diamettically opposite receptacle 'to move the inner side wallA of the latter receptacle radially inwardly to maintain balance ofthe rotating tub.

6. A rotary extractor, comprising a load receiving tub having a load carrying wall provided with uid outlet openings and having other spaced openings, means supporting said tub for rotation about its axial center, means to rotate said tub, a plurality of substantially flat iiui-d lled receptacles, each of said other openings having a uid filled receptacle positioned therein, each of said uid filled receptacles having an inner wall movable radially of the tub and subject to compression by a centrifugally thrown load of material carried by the tub, said receptacles being assembled in pairs and the receptacles of each pair being located with said radially movable inner walls in diametrically opposed relation, and conduit means connecting each pair of receptacles together and forming therewith a closed fluid system whereby fluid will be moved from one receptacle of a pair to the other receptacle of the same pair to increase the mass of said other receptacle when the movable wall of said one receptacle is subjected to compression.

7. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the receptacles are peripherally formed to receive edges of said other openings in which they are positioned, said conduit means being disposed upon the outer side of the tub wall, and means securing the receptacles and the conduitmeans in operative position.

=8. The invention according to claim 7, wherein the last stated mean-s comprises a wrapping of an open mesh material around the outside of the tub.

9. The invention according to claim 6, wherein said conduit means connecting each pair of receptacles communicates with each receptacle of a pair at the side thereof which is leading during rotation of the tub.

10. A rotary extractor, comprising a load receiving tub having a load carrying wall provided with fluid outlet openings and having other spaced openings, means supporting said tub for rotation about its axial center, means to rotate said tub, a plurality of substantially at lluid lled receptacles, each of said other openings having a fluid iilled receptacle located therein and secured around its periphery to the edge of the opening in which it is located, each receptacle having an inner wall .and an outer Wall and the inner wall being tlexible for in-and-out movement radially of the tub, said inner and outer walls having a centrally located bellows connection therebetween, a relatively stiif bearing plate secured to the inner wall and facing into the tub for subjection to compression 'by a centrifugally thrown load of material carried by the tub, said plurality of receptacles being assembled in pairs and the receptacles of each pair being located with the bearing plates thereof in diametrically opposed relation, and conduit means connecting each pair of receptacles together and forming therewith a closed fluid system whereby fluid will be moved from one receptacle of `a pair to the other receptacle of the same pair to increase the mass of .said other receptacle when the bearing plate of said one receptacle is subjected to compression.

11. A rotary extractor for removing liquid from a load of wet w'ash contained in an extractor drum having asurrounding wall, means supporting the drum for rotation on an axis concentric therewith, plural means carried by and maintaining the drum in 'balanced concentricity with its rotational axis, said means carried by said drum containing balancing liquid and positioned at separate spaced apart substantially opposite locations in pairs around the circumference of the drum, means operatively connected to said drum to rotate the same at a high speed such as to cause the load of wet wash to be thrown by centrifugal force against at least one of said balancing means of a pair, and means operatively connecting said one balancing means of said pair with the other balancing means of said pair for transferring liquid contained in sai-d one balancing means of said pair to `the other balancing means of said pair to thus maintain the balanced concentricity of the drum with respect to its rotational axis during the loading with wet wash and during its extracting cycle.

12. The method of removing liquid from wet Wash contained in an extractor -drum having a surrounding wall,

which method comprises the steps of supporting the drum for rotation on an axis concentric with said surrounding Wall, loading said Wash in the drum While maintaining the drum in :balanced concentricity with its rotational axis, containing balancing liquid at spaced apart substantially opposite separate locations around the circumference of the drum, rotating the drum with the wet Wash therein at a high speed such as to cause the load of wet Wash to be thrown by centrifugal force against the Wall of the drum at at least one of said separate locations to beextracted of the liquid in the wet Wash, and substantially simultaneously therewith transferring a predetermined amount of liquid contained at said one `location to the opposite side of the drum to thus counter-balance the centrifugally induced force and thereby maintain the drum in its balanced concentricity with its rotational axis during its loading with the Wet wash and its extraction cycle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,771,766 v1l/1956 Dunlap 68-24 2,831,369 4/1958 Cahn 210-363 X REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner.

J. DE CESARE Assistant Examiner. 

12. THE METHOD OF REMOVING LIQUID FROM WET WASH CONTAINED IN AN EXTRACTOR DRUM HAVING A SURROUNDING WALL, WHICH METHOD COMPRISES THE STEPS OF SUPPORTING THE DRUM FOR ROTATION ON AN AXIS CONCENTRIC WITH SAID SURROUNDING WALL, LOADING SAID WASH IN THE DRUM WHILE MAINTAINING THE DRUM IN BALANCED CONCENTRICITY WITH ITS ROTATIONAL AXIS, CONTAINING BALANCING LIQUID AT SPACED APART SUBSTANTIALLY OPPOSITE SEPARATE LOCATIONS AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE DRUM, ROTATING THE DRUM WITH THE WET WASH THEREIN AT THE HIGH SPEED SUCH AS TO CAUSE THE LOAD OF WET WASH TO BE THROWN BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE AGAINST THE WALL OF DRUM AT AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SEPARATE LOCATIONS TO BE EXTRACTED OF THE LIQUID IN THE WET WASH, SAID SUBSTANTIALLY SIMULTANEOUSLY THEREWITH TRANSFERRING A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF LIQUID CONTAINED AT SAID ONE LOCATION TO THE 